Team Update #5
 

Here you go: http://usfirst.org/uploadedFiles/Rob..._Update_05.pdf
Enjoy Discuss, lets not have a huge argument like the last one.

Re: Team Update #5
 

What is there to argue about? It's clearing up a lot of confusion and dealing with some minor issues that show up.

This is a good update.

Re: Team Update #5
 

THIS.

Re: Team Update #5
 

A good update.

I seriously wonder why they changed R60 to allow photosensors to connect to the solenoid breakout board.

I like the clarification of what ports are open and what directions they are open in.

Re: Team Update #5
 

No i meant in relation to the Team Update #4 thread. Lots of trolling and general controversial talk. *BTW nice same room troll Patrick :ahh: *

Re: Team Update #5
 

Shouldn't that be M7-RS775-18

Re: Team Update #5
 

Glad that minor protrusions are allowed - I didn't think they were necessary with the new bumper rules but it can't hurt.

Re: Team Update #5
 

Yes, thanks GDC. <R14> is now in sync with <R11> and <R07>.

Re: Team Update #5
 

I'm very happy about the addition of grease to the allowed minibot components, as well as the option of switching fuses. These are both great changes to the rules.

Re: Team Update #5
 

Great update!

Clarified hanging, specified additional ports we can use between cRIO and DS, exempted fastener/rivet heads from FRAME PERIMETER restrictions :D, defined publicly-available, team-created software as COTS and allows us to use different fuses, solder, crimp connectors, PVC fittings, grease and non-functional decorations on Minibot.

Immediately following that is the RS775-18 part number, which would make both the 12v and 18v versions legal.

Re: Team Update #5
 

Wow, I missed the minibot part completely - that's quite nice.

Anyone got a recommendation for a 2 amp fuse?

Re: Team Update #5
 

Love this:

<3.

Re: Team Update #5
 

I'm clearly missing something, what was the point of the R14 change and why is everyone a fan of the change?

Re: Team Update #5
 

You have an upper frame. It is the same size as the frame in the area of the Frame Perimeter. You have one bolt that sticks out over the frame perimeter.

Previously, you would not have been allowed to compete. Now, you are. It's the same change they made last year in like Week 4 or 5 of build, IIRC.

Re: Team Update #5
 

Not to be a stickler...but no, they didn't make the change last year... This is all almost everyone was asking for...but the GDC stuck to their original wording and teams had to add creative shims all around their robot to comply with the rules...

Re: Team Update #5
 

Let's see if I am thinking what you are thinking.

You use all the power the motors give you, climp up the pole, hit the top burn out the fuse and replace after match and redo next match and so forth?

Cheaper and easier to replace a blown fuse then to have another switch on the bot to bring it back down. The issue I have of placing a switch on the bot to bring it back down the pole is, what if that switch trips or something, then you will not reach the top that match.

Re: Team Update #5
 

The BEST part of this entire update for everyone is

174 1/2 can finally get pimped out now.

Re: Team Update #5
 

Hey, thats a good idea. Thanks.

Re: Team Update #5
 

I was thinking the same thing...

...but we have to be careful that the fuse fries before the motors do, don't we?

That said, playing around with the MINIBOT (and not having yet found that super-optimal gearing), we have found that even somewhat significant weight changes (.5 lbs or so) seem to have almost no effect on the climb rate...

This might well change when we find that 'optimal gearing', of course.

Re: Team Update #5
 

Wouldn't it still not pass initial inspection during the box test? Or is that what they are altering?

Re: Team Update #5
 

Nope, because the smart teams always build smaller than the box to allow for bolt heads. Bolt heads are exempted from the frame perimeter. So it's quite possible to have a bolt head sticking out from the volume defined by the frame perimeter (vertical dimension infinite). Before this ruling, that would have been an issue--it was last year. Now that this update has come out, there is much rejoicing that this doesn't have to happen again.

The box is still the box; no leniency on that for being oversize.

Re: Team Update #5
 

That's good. I thought FIRST was starting to go easy. Who knows maybe the next update would have been "its ok if your .5 lbs overweight?". Now that I understand the difference, an overall good ruling.

Re: Team Update #5
 

Team222badbrad remembers when nobody knew what bumpers where...

"<R14> When a ROBOT is in its STARTING CONFIGURATION, no part of the ROBOT shall extend outside the vertical projection of the FRAME PERIMETER"

Now we don't have to worry about adding lexan and such to our frame to make the bolts flush...

:]

Re: Team Update #5
 

Please also note that the update is allowing the thermal protection wires for the Tetrix motors as listed on the linked Approved Tetrix Parts list.
R92..
A. TETRIX components that are not in violation of any other rules (Tetrix components are listed in Approved Tetrix Parts at www.usfirst.org/frc/competitionmanual),

Re: Team Update #5
 

Woohoo, we can solder the motor leads so they don't come unplugged! There would be many disappointed MINIBOT deployers if they didn't allow this. It was fairly painful in 2009-2010's FTC game.

Re: Team Update #5
 

I'm excited because our base is 1" undersized in any direction, but we have some minor protrusions in the bumper zone, and possibly one or two above, and they weren't specifically addressed prior to this update. I can sleep again. :D

Oh, and I can get rid of the wooden shims.

Re: Team Update #5
 

Why would you ever want to add useless mass to the minibot?

EDIT: I guess some identifying markings wouldn't weigh much.

Re: Team Update #5
 

Yea. A splash of color and team number would be all that is necessary. Having a black box felt so boring.

Re: Team Update #5
 

Additionally, it allows us to powder coat the MINIBOT parts that do not contribute to motion or friction (i.e. anything that doesn't directly make contact with the pole).

Re: Team Update #5
 

Sponsor's logos!

Re: Team Update #5
 

i'm thinking a little SKUNK costume for the minibot..ultralight of course...!!

Re: Team Update #5
 

King Kong climbing with a tiny Fay Wray...

Re: Team Update #5
 

Well now they finally have a clearly labeled list of allowed parts, so no more arguments about hinges for me on CD! btw, anyone involved in that, I do apologize that I overreacted. I actually rebuilt my minibot from scratch and it uses all legal parts now (and I'm sure of it).

Re: Team Update #5
 

I'm still scratching my head... we got an RS775-18 in the KOP! It seems Banebots and FIRST can't get their stories straight.

Re: Team Update #5
 

It seemed to be fixing a lot of grammatical errors.

Re: Team Update #5
 

Haha, last year we very nearly got busted in Florida for that. Lucky for us we had some plastic strips that were just longer than the bolt heads that became our "frame perimeter". I'm glad we don't have to worry about that sort of thing this year. Means less time spent countersinking and more time troubleshooting.

Re: Team Update #5
 

Yup. We were waiting for this answer too. We were thinking of highlighting a different team sponsor each match. An interchangeable sign that says "This match brought to you by.... Insert Sponsor Here"

Re: Team Update #5
 

Read the actual text of the update. Both are allowed (12v or 18v, the 18v is more powerful even at 12v).